re: planning a trip to Australia

In Sydney, I'd definitely recommend just walking around downtown/the rocks one night, and I wouldn't feel the pressure to eat at any of the expensive places on the harbor- they're overrated. Definitely do the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk - there's a lot of cool places outside of downtown. Hunter valley and the blue mountains are both nice too. Royal National Park is less than an hour drive from Sydney; its lesser known than the other two, but I liked it more.

The Whitsundays was going to be my other recommendation. I stayed in Airlie beach. But taking a boat to Whitehaven beach was my favorite part of Australia. I'd post a picture but that's a pain on here